MICROFINANCE SERVICES AND POVERTY REDUCTION AMONG RURAL ENTREPRENEURS IN ANAMBRA STATE, SOUTHEAST NIGERIA
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Abstract
This study examined the association between microfinance services and povertyreduction indicators among rural entrepreneurs in Anambra State, Southeast Nigeria. Specifically,the research investigated how access to microcredit, savings services, and financial literacy trainingrelates to income levels, business growth, and asset ownership. A descriptive survey design wasadopted, with a structured questionnaire administered to 320 rural entrepreneurs selected throughmultistage sampling across six local government areas representing the three senatorial districts.Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean scores and standard deviation), whilehypotheses were tested using Multivariate Analysis of Covariance (MANCOVA). Findingsrevealed that access to microcredit was associated with higher income levels (mean = 3.44, SD =0.78), with MANCOVA showing significant relationship (Wilks